It’s the land where the buffalo roam. Full of natural beauty, national monuments and kitschy bits of Americana, South Dakota has so much variety.

Badlands National Park, with its almost edge-of-the earth feel, vertical drops and horizontal stripes. The Black Hills National Forest, with those evergreens ever-reaching farther and farther up the mountains. And Custer State Park, where the buffalo – and a few prairie dogs and donkeys – roam. The natural wonders of South Dakota are astounding.

Badlands National Park

Begin your journey in Badlands National Park. Millions of years of erosion sculpted the stunning buttes and gullies you see today. Those horizontal stripes that look almost painted-on are the exposed sedimentary layers of the rock and soil, from different time periods.

The aptly-named “Wall” stretches 60 miles – and the park covers 244,000 acres. If you’re lucky, you’ll see all kinds of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, bison and some squeaky prairie dogs, popping their heads in and out of their underground homes.

Millions of years of erosion have carved out beautiful buttes, canyons and gullies, attracting about 1 million visitors annually from around the world to the 244,000 acres of parkland. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Park rangers suggest spending two full days to truly experience the park, but you can certainly visit in less time. If you have one full day to spend, plan on being at the park for both sunrise and sunset - the light cast over the Badlands is incredible. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Wildlife abounds in Badlands National Park, and one area that’s off the beaten path and a terrific place to spot animals is the Sage Creek Wilderness Area in the northern part of the park. South Dakota Department of Tourism

More experienced hikers will enjoy the accessible trails as noted above, but may opt instead for going off the paths and into the park’s very remote backcountry, where they can camp as well. South Dakota Department of Tourism

A terrific way to see a lot of the park and its myriad formations in a shorter amount of time is by driving the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway, which runs right through the park. South Dakota Department of Tourism

If you have your bicycle, take a ride through the park for a different perspective. Bikes are permitted on designated paved, gravel and dirt roads within the park, all of which offer their own experiences. T Badlands National Park

If you're in the park and start to get hungry, stop by the Cedar Pass Lodge and its restaurant for a bite to eat. While there, try the Sioux Indian Tacos: fluffy fry bread with buffalo meat and wojapi, a Native American berry sauce. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Whether you join a park ranger for a Night Sky Viewing or take your own binoculars or telescope and go on your own, you’ll be thrilled with what you can see, even with the naked eye. South Dakota Department of Tourism

f you’re visiting in the summer, check out the park’s Badlands Astronomy Festival and join science professionals, other amateur astronomers and locals for a “stellar” experience. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Needles Highway

Next on the natural beauty list is a specific type of topography that looks straight out of "The Flintstones."

One of the most amazing features of South Dakota’s landscape is the "needles," which are basically really tall rock formations that kind of look like needles. These granite spires were carved by wind and water erosion over millions of years. You can drive through all these needles, along Needles Highway, including one narrow section called the Eye of the Needle.

But pack your Dramamine, because there are some swirly, twirly National Scenic Byways here not to be missed. With steep drops and razor-sharp turns, you may wonder, who designed this crazy thing? Well, former South Dakota governor and U.S. senator Peter Norbeck did. He mapped it out on horse and on foot. Why? So that visitors would slow down and enjoy the incredible view, all while not harming the landscape. Part of the road is named the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.

Custer State Park

Needles Highway lies within Custer State Park, where the buffalo literally roam. And roam. And roam. In fact, Custer State Park contains one of the nation’s largest free-roaming buffalo herds. Which brings us to one of the more unique tourist attractions: the “buffalo jam.” The buffalo jam occurs when slow-driving tourists come across slow-roaming buffalo, and a happy little traffic jam of sorts takes place. Don’t worry: As long as you’re safely inside your vehicle, it’s the perfect close-but-not-too-close wildlife experience. Our personal experience included one buffalo licking the salt off our rental car. Guess that means he liked us?

You might also encounter deer and donkeys just roaming freely around the land the way nature intended.

Black Hills National Forest

From prairies to Christmas tree-covered mountains, this park has been protected since 1897 and covers 1.2 million acres of public land.

The beautiful Black Hills National Forest was so named by Native Americans because the evergreen trees that grow here are so dark green, they almost look black. Within the forest is Spearfish Creek and Spearfish Canyon Falls. Those names come from the water that was so clear, Native Americans could spearfish in them.

Black Hills National Forest includes many beautiful lodges, hiking trails, campsites and bike trails, such as the George S. Mickelson Trail, 109 miles long, with gentle slopes for all skill levels.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

South Dakota, the 40th state of the Union and home of iconic Mount Rushmore, is one of the least densely populated states in the nation - a perfect place for travelers craving wide open spaces. Pictured here is Badlands National Park. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Keystone is home to one of the nation's most iconic attractions, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Carved in 1941 from a granite cliff face, the monument features the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Creek-carved Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills predates the Grand Canyon. The waterfalls in the region represent some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the Black Hills, including Spearfish Falls, pictured here. Getty Images/iStockphoto

Bridal Veil Falls is one of the most accessible of the many waterfalls within Spearfish Canyon and the Black Hills National Forest, thanks to its position right along the scenic byway and a viewing platform nearby. South Dakota Department of Tourism

The city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota's largest city, gets its name from the Big Sioux Falls where the Big Sioux River cascades down a series of rock faces just north of downtown. Falls Park has a visitor center and observation tower - a perfect introduction for first time visitors. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Visiting the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary is like seeing America as it was hundreds of years ago. The private wilderness area provides a home for hundreds of wild horses, as well as deer, elk, turkeys, cougar, coyotes and predatory birds. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Custer State Park is home to one of the world's largest publicly owned bison herds (some 1,300 heads). Each year during the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, cowboys and cowgirls saddle up to corral the herd in an event open to the public. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Buffalo aren't the only ones roaming the 71,000 acres of prairie and hills within Custer State Park. It's also possible to spot pronghorn, elk, mountain goats and wild donkeys. Some of the best wildlife viewing is along the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road along the southern edge of the park. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Sylvan Lake, considered the crown jewel in Custer State Park, was created in 1881 when Sunday Gulch was dammed. Today, it features picnic areas, boat rentals, rock climbing, swimming and hiking. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Lewis and Clark Recreational Area is the second most visited state park in South Dakota after Custer. Particularly popular in the summer, the park surrounds Lewis and Clark Lake, popular for water sports. South Dakota Department of Tourism

The entire city of Deadwood, carefully restored to its turn-of-the-century glory, is a national historic landmark. Made famous by the HBO series of the same name, the gold rush town is filled with Victorian architecture and restored gambling halls, and visitors can pay their respects at the cemetery where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried. South Dakota Department of Tourism

The Mammoth Site, the world's largest mammoth research facility, is a museum and working paleontological lab where visitors can see the largest concentration of woolly and Columbian mammoths found in the site where they died. South Dakota Department of Tourism

South Dakota gets its name from the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian Tribes, and Plains Indians culture holds a special place in the state's cultural heritage. The state hosts dozens of powwows throughout the year, where visitors can enjoy intertribal dancing and sample traditional foods. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Quilts and Vines, a quilt show and wine tasting rolled into a single event, is an annual event benefitting Project Linus. Attendees can sample eight different wines while viewing more than 450 quilts displayed in a country setting. South Dakota Department of Tourism

The 30-mile Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway follows the natural contours of the escarpment in Badlands National Park, winding past some of the park's most stunning formations. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Open spaces and varied, scenic terrain make South Dakota an ideal setting for trail riding. Many of South Dakota's state and national parks, including Custer State Park and Badlands National Park, have dedicated trails for horseback riding. South Dakota Department of Tourism

Rising 7,242 feet above sea level, Harney Peak offers one of the best views in South Dakota. Named after General William S. Harney, the peak overlooks the Black Hills National Forest, and from the top, visitors can see South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming. Flickr/Navin75

Mount Rushmore

Tucked within all that natural beauty are two man-made awe-inspiring mountain-sized memorials. Mount Rushmore National Memorial honors some of the most influential U.S. presidents. Mount Rushmore was designed by Gutzon Borglum and was built between the 1920s and 1940s. You can still see some of the 450,000 tons of rock that was blown or chipped off the mountain at the base of this monumental and iconic sculpture.

Borglum’s vision was to have each president represent a different facet of the first 150 years of U.S. history. Washington represents the founding of our country, Jefferson represents expansion, Roosevelt represents development, and Lincoln, of course, represents preservation.

Each head is about is 60 feet tall, and each eye is about 11 feet wide.

Crazy Horse Memorial

But there’s another monumental monument here in South Dakota, and it was built in response to Mount Rushmore. In 1939, Chief Henry Standing Bear asked sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski (who also worked on Mount Rushmore) if he would “like to let the white man know that the red man has great heroes also.” Ziolkowski was so taken aback that he created the design for the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Construction on the Crazy Horse Memorial began in the 1940s, and it is still a beautiful work in progress. If it is completed according to its original design, the carving will be 563 feet high and 641 feet long, making it larger than Mount Rushmore, the Washington Monument, the Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx – possibly making it the largest sculpture in the world.

Today, some of Ziolkowski’s 10 children run the Crazy Horse Memorial and the on-site Visitor Center Complex, Indian Museum of North America and the Indian University of North America.

Deadwood

Next, from mountainous memorials to the quirkier side of South Dakota.

The historic town of Deadwood was established during the 1876 gold rush, to provide goods and services to all those gold miners. But it soon became a true Wild West town, full of saloons and gunslingers, including folk heroes such as Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock. You can visit Old Style Saloon No. 10, where it is believed that Hickock was shot and killed (during a game of poker, of course).

But amidst all the gunslingin’, saloons and brothels, the Victorian architecture along Deadwood’s Main Street has been well-preserved and restored and is quite pretty. And the city itself is a National Historic Landmark.

Wall Drug

Next, we leave the Wild West of the 19th century to partake in the 20th-century tradition of the family road trip. Complete with those quintessential roadside attractions.

Where can you find a giant jackalope? The world’s best maple doughnut? And, of course, Annie Oakley? Well, you just follow the hundreds of highway billboards to Wall Drug.

How to describe Wall Drug? Well, it’s a unique roadside attraction, to say the least. This mecca of kitsch is 70,000 square feet of part rest stop, part restaurant, part doughnut shop, part shopping mall, part amusement park, part museum and part art gallery – and even includes a traveler’s chapel.

This wacky yet wonderful idea all started in the 1930s with the original small family drugstore in the 1930s owned by Ted and Dorothy Hustead. Their grandson Rick Hustead now owns and runs Wall Drug and recalls his grandmother’s simple, yet brilliant idea to attract all those tourists off the highway.

“Dorothy thought how hot and thirsty these travelers are. Here we sit with a great big soda fountain, all the ice in the world and no customers. And she had an idea. She said, 'Ted, we gotta let people know we’re here. We should put up a sign: Get a soda, get a beer, turn next corner, just as near, Highway 14 and 16, free ice water, Wall Drugstore.' Ted thought it was a little corny, but it just might work.“

And work it did. From a simple idea of offering free ice water (which you can still get today) to becoming of one of South Dakota's and America’s most popular roadside attractions. The perfect pit stop between the natural beauty, the wonder and the Wild West history that is South Dakota. And did I mention the maple doughnuts are really good here too?

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Pike Place Market — Seattle (Cost to fly: $266): Seattle can be one of the most expensive U.S. tourist destinations, but Travel + Leisure makes a case for Pike Place by arguing it defines Seattle tourism.
One of the oldest continuously operating farmers markets in the country, the multilevel space is a sensory overload of smells, tastes and sights with over 500 shops, restaurants and vendors. Famous for flying fish, the "almost" first Starbucks and a plethora of fresh eats, the iconic market is simply a must for foodies.
Entrance to the market is free, and group tours start at $15 and up depending on the level of the tour. KingWu, Getty Images

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island — New York City (Cost to fly: $390):
One of the most historic sites in America, the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and the American dream. Ellis Island is a place where you can trace your own family's lineage. Both are quintessential New York experiences because, despite the crowds, they're shockingly intimate.
The price for a round-trip ferry to both attractions is $21.50 if you want to climb to the crown of the Statue of Liberty or $18.50 to just access the pedestal. OlegAlbinsky, Getty Images/iStockphoto

Bourbon Street — New Orleans (Cost to fly: $291):
It might be one of the tourist attractions where you'll want to watch your wallet, but visiting Bourbon Street might be worth the risk. It's home to the famous Red Light District of Storyville, acclaimed architecture, jazz clubs, restaurants and bars. Plus, it's a bucket list experience for foodies, revelers and history buffs.
It's free to wander around, but entertainment can add up fast with hurricanes running $8.50 a pop at Pat O'Brien's and reserved seats at the Jazz Playhouse coming in at $20. Joel Carillet, Getty Images/iStockphoto

Fisherman’s Wharf — San Francisco (Cost to fly: $269): More than 75 percent of San Francisco's travelers pay a visit to Fisherman's Wharf, but that's just a testament to how popular it is. And if you visit during the cheapest times, you can save money on your trip.
Home to Pier 39 and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the skyline, it's free to play photographer and take in the waterfront, but other attractions will cost you. The place to indulge in fresh seafood, a clam chowder bread bowl from Boudin Bakery, costs $7.49. And entrance to the Aquarium of the Bay will set you back $26.95. holgs, Getty Images

Reading Terminal Market — Philadelphia (Cost to fly: $191): The nation's oldest continually operating farmers market, Reading Terminal Market is a treasure trove of edible delights. With more than 80 vendors and Amish merchants, the market is a vast culinary bazaar home to the best food in Philly.
Smells and snaps are free. But sampling the "best sandwich in America" (which is DiNic's roast pork and beef, according to the Travel Channel) will cost $8.50. And a traditional cheesesteak from Carmen's Famous Italian Hoagies and Cheesesteaks (of which former President Barack Obama is a fan) will cost you $11.34. aimintang, Getty Images

The Strip — Las Vegas
(Cost to fly: $137): With over 42 million visitors a year, Las Vegas is one of the top travel destinations in the U.S., and the Strip is its epicenter. The 4.2-mile jaunt along Las Vegas Boulevard is where a majority of high-end hotels, casinos and attractions lie so it's a safe bet that a trip to Sin City almost guarantees at least some time there.
If you're looking for fun and free things to do in Vegas, you can see the free fountain show at the Bellagio and even get free drinks in the casinos. But the average visitor's gambling budget is $619, so prepare to leave with a bit of a hole in your pocket. lewkmiller, Getty Images

Disney World — Orlando, Fla. (Cost to fly: $124): The most popular theme park in the world, according to Themed Entertainment Association, Magic Kingdom gets over 20 million visitors a year, making it one of the biggest tourist attractions on the planet. With ticket prices starting at $102 per day, the "Happiest Place on Earth" doesn't come cheaply.
That said, it's a magical experience for children and adults alike to see their favorite motion pictures brought to life and something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Jacqueline Nell, Disney

The Grand Canyon — Arizona (Cost to fly: $137): One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon enthralls with its prehistoric geology and exotic wildlife. Despite receiving over 6 million tourists last year, it's a place to admire endangered vegetation, and the Telegraph says it's worth getting "morning before Christmas" excited about it.
But keep an eye out for these hidden expenses when visiting the Grand Canyon. For example, a park vehicle permit costs $30, and tickets to the skywalk range from $49.92 to $333.14 with a shuttle to various viewpoints. gdelissen, Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Hollywood Walk of Fame — Los Angeles
(Cost to fly: $294): The world's most famous sidewalk honors 2,500 actors, musicians and Hollywood legends. Though touristy, it's a place to pay homage to your favorite on-screen performers, and it's a major symbol of the City of Angels.
You can walk the celebrity boardwalk on your own or, if you want to actually spot a celebrity, attend one of the free star ceremonies throughout the year. If you'd like a professional tour guide to point out the sites, you can book one for $25 to get the inside scoop on Hollywood history. littleny, Getty Images

Fenway Park — Boston
(Cost to fly: $67): America's oldest ballpark has been operating since 1912. A mecca for baseball lovers, whether you've seen one game or hundreds, a trip there is always worth the cost of a ticket.
The Green Monster ensures a sense of nostalgia for America by maintaining traditions like belting "Sweet Caroline" before the bottom of the eighth inning. Guided tours cost $20 and game tickets range from $10 to $197. Joyce Vincent, Shutterstock.com

Millennium Park — Chicago (Cost to fly: $120): A centerpiece of downtown Chicago, Millennium Park is a free outdoor sculpture garden and public park. As the most visited tourist attraction in the Midwest, it's always crowded but boasts one of the best views of the skyline that won't cost you anything.
The must-have photo-ops include Cloud Gate (also known as "the Bean"), the Crown Fountain's spitting faces and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which has free outdoor concerts throughout the summer and free ice skating in the winter. However, rentals are $10. Starcevic, Getty Images

The Smithsonian Museums — Washington, D.C. (Cost to fly: $64): The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum complex and saw over 30 million visitors in 2017. There are 11 museums and galleries right on the National Mall, making it an important place to commemorate the country's history and immerse yourself in arts, history and science. As one of the best free educational opportunities in the capital, it's worth battling the crowds. OlegAlbinsky, Getty Images

Dodge City — Kansas
(Cost to fly: $131): A replica Wild West town, Dodge City was the gateway to the Santa Fe Trail way back in the early 1800s. Known for its raucous gunslinging and lawless debauchery, the Boot Hill Museum pays tribute to the rough-and-tumble lifestyle. Though most reenactments are kitschy, it takes just reading the tombstones at Boot Hill Cemetery to realize that it's the real deal.
Tickets are $12 to explore the general store, saloon and cemetery. Michael Rosebrock, Shutterstock.com

Wall Drug — South Dakota
(Cost to fly: $375): Wall Drug fancies itself a roadside attraction, not a tourist trap, but arguments can be made for both sides. It is the must-see stop en route to the Badlands.
Geographically in the "middle of nowhere," this quirky corner store became famous in the 1930s for offering free ice water to weary travelers. Today, it's a place to peruse the trinkets and Western wear and take free photos with a Tyrannosaurus rex and a giant jackalope. The café menu has American classics like hot beef sandwiches, donuts and 5-cent coffee that have managed to withstand inflation, so the price is definitely right for a bit of nostalgia. Frank Romeo, Shutterstock.com

Atlantic City — New Jersey (Cost to fly: $191): Atlantic City gets a bad rap, but after more than $1.7 billion were poured into revitalization projects, it's worth giving the tired casino town a fresh look. A handful of luxury hotels without casinos have opened in recent years, most notably The Water Club.
The Walk is 15 blocks of designer shopping, five-star restaurants and celebrity chefs that grace the area, and luxury spas have become more popular than ever. You can get there for just $2.25 on the jitney and walk the world's first boardwalk for free. But that's about where the savings end for this pricier getaway. DenisTangneyJr, Getty Images/iStockphoto

Niagara Falls — New York
(Cost to fly: $85): Niagara Falls was called a tourist trap by Smarter Travel, but the New York Times said differently when they named it one of the top 52 places to visit in 2018. Buffalo-Niagara has also undergone a massive transformation in recent years. Today, the area is a cultural hotbed of art galleries, craft breweries and impressive architecture, and the falls are just the icing on the cake.
Parking at the oldest state park in the U.S. is $8 to $10, entrance to the Cave of the Winds is $7, and a ride on Maid of the Mist is $19.25. Onfokus, Getty Images/iStockphoto

The River Walk — San Antonio (Cost to fly: $174): A treasure in Texas, the River Walk is the heart and soul of San Antonio, garnering millions of visitors a year. But it's not just a place for overpriced waterfront dining. Actually the largest urban ecosystem in the nation, the River Walk has 15 miles of sidewalks and paths where you can visit museums and 300-year-old Spanish missions that are definitely worth exploring.
It can be a fun vacation for the whole family. Take a water taxi ride for $10 or upgrade to a narrated boat cruise for $12. dszc, Getty Images

Route 66 — Chicago
(Cost to fly: $120): An epic 2,500-mile cross-country road trip from Illinois to California, Route 66 is littered with larger-than-life roadside attractions, neon motels and forgotten cities. Whether you're interested in photo-ops with giant whales or the chance to sleep in a teepee, everyone should drive "the Mother Road" at least once. The route has inspired musicians, filmmakers and writers, and is sure to provide a creative jolt for those lacking inspiration.
You can find rooms for under $100 a night and meals for $2.50 and up, so it's not a budget-buster kind of trip. LauraAnna, Shutterstock.com

Central Park — New York
(Cost to fly: $390): More than 25 million people frequent Central Park a year, which might make getting a green reprieve feel downright impossible. But with over 9,000 benches, the first public park in America has plenty of space to go around.
The park cost almost as much as the entire state of Alaska to build, so a lot of impressive elements went into its development. A carousel ride costs just $3, and a lap around the ice rink will run you $12 to $19. wdstock, Getty Images

Times Square — New York
(Cost to fly: $390): Although millions pass through Times Square every day and many call it overrated, the hotspot is the heart of the Big Apple. It's one of the most Instagrammed places in the world and its chaotic glittering lights can be seen from space. It's worth battling the crowds to experience the crossroads of the world at least once — but probably not on New Year's Eve.
If you prefer to dive into the history of the area, make it a scavenger hunt to find the hidden Broadway bar, the site of America's most famous kiss and Lichtenstein's pop murals. The best part? It's all free. View Apart, Shutterstock.com